Minor Fictional Characters in The Two Georges

This article lists the various minor fictional characters who appear in The Two Georges. These characters play at best a peripheral role in the novel. Most were simply mentioned or had a very brief, unimportant speaking role that impacted the plot minimally, if at all, and never appeared again. Some were not even given a name.

Cavendish (d. Summer 1995) was a cabinet maker in Boston's Back Bay neighbourhood, and a Son of Liberty. He bought the shop from Fred Jenkins around 1991. A local suspicion that Cavendish was a homosexual was never confirmed, although the Sons were known to be even less tolerant of that nature than was the American government. In the Summer of 1995, Cavendish harboured fellow Son Joseph Kilbride, a weapons smuggler who was the target of a nationwide manhunt. When Kilbride was discovered, he attempted to throw a grenade at his pursuers but was shot to death by two RAMs. The grenade fell to the floor beside him and exploded, fatally wounding Cavendish.[13]

Hiram Defoe was the postage minister of the North American Union and Sir Martin Luther King's chief political fixer. It was said that if he didn't know everything and everyone, then he made a good game try of not letting on. As postage minister, he was the political head of the NAU's postal system.

Doctor Malcolm Desmond was a Thomas Gainsborough scholar. He accompanied The Two Georges on its North American Union tour when the Sons of Liberty stole it in New Liverpool. His security dossier indicated he had been expelled from a preparatory school for unnatural vice. While this might have been a factor in another case, the Sons of Liberty despised this sort of thing far more than the authorities, so it was unlikely that Dr. Desmond was one of them.[17]

Dewasenta was an Iroquois of the Turtle clan and a civilian employee of the Doshoweh Constabulary. There she performed secretarial / clerical work. An exceedingly decorative young woman, Lt. Charles Lucas alluded to her beauty when she delivered paperwork to Major Shikalimo during a meeting regarding the theft of The Two Georges. For a moment Shikalimo was nonplused, then understood what Lucas was getting at. He explained that she was of the Turtle clan while he was of the Bear clan and didn't think of her in that way.[20]

A few days later, Dewasenta typed up several copies of a list of suspects in the theft whose given names were variations of "Joe" for a second meeting that Major Shikalimo had with the RAM.[21]

Dorothy was one of four people with whom John Kennedy was talking about something they all found funny, when Thomas Bushell approached him to discuss important matters. Dorothy's voice sounded suited to a boudoir. Bushell thought of Kennedy's associates as Bright Young Things.[22]

Chauncey Dupuy was a reporter for the New Orleans Herald-Leader and Picayune. Several days after the theft of The Two Georges, the Herald received a copy of the ransom demand. Dupuy telephoned Colonel Thomas Bushell for an interview. Bushell confirmed that he had received the ransom and that the photograph accompanying it appeared genuine. He confirmed that the ransom demand of 50 million pounds was the largest ever in the North American Union. He also confirmed that the demand had been passed on to Sir Martin Luther King and that he did not know whether Sir Martin intended to meet it.[25]

Thomas Bushell's rhetorical thought that the Charleroi police station's paint job hasn't been improved since the reign of Edward IX, is the only clue to this monarch's existence.[26] No years or relations are mentioned. However, the compact timeline from the posthumously referenced Edward VIII to the current Charles III, suggests that these three succeeded each other, and that Edward IX is probably the son of Edward VIII, who was childless in OTL.

Zachariah James "Zack" Fenton was a suspected member of the Sons of Liberty. In 1995 Captain Jaime Macias of the New Liverpool Police found sufficient evidence to arrest Fenton for the murder of "Honest" Dick. On searching his home, the police discovered a recently discharged Nagant rifle which they hoped forensic study would show was the murder weapon. In addition to the Russian made rifle the police found 48 Lebel revolvers, 35 Eibar revolvers, 27 Astra Modelo 200 pistols, 29 Lebel military rifles and three Chauchat light military machine guns. They also discovered ₤219,827 in gold and silver currency in the form of livres d'or and pesos and 943 pounds of coca leaf extract.

Goldsmith's wounds were minor: a through-and-through bullet wound in the shoulder and a flesh wound in the leg. As such, Bushell was able to question him but he refused to answer, claiming probably correctly that he would hang regardless. Sgt. Fuller suggested Bushell take a stroll in the woods and that he would make Goldsmith sing but Bushell turned down the offer. Goldsmith's subsequent gloating nearly made him change his mind but in the end he chose to respect the law he was sworn to uphold.[39]

Lionel Harris was a member of New Liverpool's town council. He was a wide-shouldered man with a walrus mustache. He went to the doorway of the Governor's Mansion to look out at the commotion when the shots that killed "Honest" Dick rang out.[43]

Henry was a coal miner on the same shift as Michael O'Flynn. When he saw Thomas Bushell, who had come to interview O'Flynn as a witness to the New Liverpool crimes of 15 June, Henry thought he was a "big steam" from the company.[45]

Hiram was one of the two RAMs guarding The Two Georges when the Sons of Liberty stole it. Three white men in RAM uniforms entered the Cardigan Room and pulled out revolvers. While one of the false RAMs covered him, the other two went behind Hiram and the other guard and stuck sponges soaked in chloroform into their faces. Both guards were rendered unconscious and the Sons stole the painting.[47]

Graf Friedrich-Maria von Hötzendorf was the Austrian ambassador to the North American Union. He was a short, thin, weary-looking man with sad-eyes. The Graf wished Thomas Bushell well in the search for The Two Georges painting, and was overwhelmed in trying to imagine combing through such a large country, as he came from a fairly small "Empire".[48]

Judge Huygens was on the King's Bench in New Liverpool when The Two Georges was stolen by the Sons of Liberty. He was approached by Captain Samuel Stanley requesting warrants in aid of the investigation. While known for being more cooperative with the Royal American Mounted Police than most, he outdid himself on this occasion. He issued a dozen warrants with the lines for dates, names and addresses left blank. This was a compliment of sorts, to be entrusted with blank warrants but one not to be abused since otherwise it would call into disrepute the legal system.[49]

Peter Jarrold was a Son of Liberty and a convicted arsonist. He was in his early 20s, tough-looking with a scar over one eye and another on his chin. He, like a lot of younger Sons, wore his hair cropped short in the "Roundhead" fashion.

At the time of the theft of The Two Georges, Jarrold had just started a 10 year sentence for setting fire to a synagogue in New Liverpool the previous winter.[50]

When they had reached the outskirts of the town, Johnston and his squad waited with Green and the RAMs as Fuller and Wainwright circled the town and entered it from the south using move-and-support tactics. Johnston and Green did the same, each moving with half the squad while the other half stayed in cover to give supporting fire if needed.

It has been popularly assumed - and was formerly was reported on this wiki - that Archbishop Kennedy is Robert Kennedy, due to his devout Catholicism in OTL. While this hypothesis is reasonable, the novel does not rule out the possibility that the Archbishop is another historical Kennedy brother, or even a wholly fictitious one.

Daniel Kilbride was a coal miner from Charleroi. In 1992 or 1993, his leg was crushed in a cave-in, leaving him on a welfare ration too meagre to support a family. He was not related to the Doshoweh businessman Joseph Kilbride.[59]

Andrew Kincaid (d. ca. 1990) was a member of the Sons of Liberty in New Liverpool. One night, he assaulted a Sikh with a length of lead pipe, striking at the man's head and shouting "Go back to India, you stinking wog". The Sikh, true to the martial tenets of his faith, was armed with a dagger and fought back killing Kincaid. This was clearly self defence so the Sikh was not charged.[60]

Kyril Lozovsky was the assistant commercial secretary at the Russian ministry in Victoria. He had been engaged to Doctor Kathleen Flannery in the early 1990s but she had ended the engagement when she found out he had a second fiancée back in Tsaritsyn. He returned to Russia shortly after and married the other woman.[63]

The next day Lucas was invited to attend a meeting in Shikalimo's office. On being introduced to Dr. Kathleen Flannery, his face showed polite horror but since Col. Bushell outranked him, he said nothing.

A few days later, Major Shikalimo had a second meeting to report on the results of his investigation and invited Lt. Lucas directly. He reviewed the list of "Joes" that Shikalimo provided but none seemed suspicious. He expressed regret on the death of Lt. Col. Felix Crooke as he was the RAM's expert on the Sons of Liberty.

Dr. Flannery was not satisfied and insisted that she needed to continue to work closely with the two RAMs. Rather than be belligerent about it, she used charm and her physical attractiveness to convince Capt. Martin to take her along to the hotel despite his misgivings. Being human and male, Martin did so. When the hotel managed to rearrange things so Dr. Flannery also had a room, Capt. Martin took his leave telling them that a driver would be available for their use and to feel free to contact him if they needed anything else.[66]

Metcalf received immediate first aid from his fellow marines and then was treated by Hartnett, a pharmacist’s mate from HMS Grampus who re-splinted his leg. He was then carried by stretcher to the Grampus and transported back to Port Clements.[75]

Donald Morton was a lake-shipping magnate who resided in Doshoweh, The Six Nations. In 1995 his outspoken criticisms of the Iroquois drew the attention of the authorities investigating the theft of The Two Georges. While not personally a suspect, he was investigated for associates named "Joe" based on a letter discovered by Colonel Thomas Bushell.[78]

Michael "Red Mike" O'Flynn was a coal miner from Charleroi. Thomas Bushell's investigation was delayed by being given a false lead to Red Mike, who had the same name as a witness to the crimes of 15 June.[80]

O'Leary was a muscular man with green eyes, carroty hair, and a face full of freckles. He worked as a luggage loader for Sunset Airships Ltd. at the New Liverpool airship port. He recognized Colonel Thomas Bushell as the chap trying to get The Two Georges back when he went to load the latter’s bags onto the Empire Builder. He expressed his hopes that Bushell succeed and that he catch the "right bunch 'o bastards" who stole it.[81]

Spencer Pendleton was a dentist in Victoria, North American Union. Lt. General Sir Horace Bragg of the Royal American Mounted Police was a patient of his. Bragg told Thomas Bushell that he was having his teeth treated by Pendleton on at least two occasions in August. When Bushell tried to contact Bragg during one of these surgeries, he was told by office staff that Bragg had not had any appointment or visited the office since February. This, combined with other recent revelations about Bragg, caused Bushell to wonder what other lies his friend and commander might have told.

The Duke of Philadelphia had a daughter whose kidnapping around 1945 was considered the crime of the century. The 1995 theft of The Two Georges was the most sensational crime at any point since then.[88]

Colonel Thomas Bushell interviewed Pratson in connection to the theft of The Two Georges. Bushell asked if Pratson recalled anyone mailing a long narrow package. To Bushell's dismay he recalled many such packages being mailed in the previous six months. They had been mailed by four men: Geoff, Patrick, Elgin and Benjamin. They all lived in an abandoned logging town called Buckley Bay on the west shore of Masset Inlet for the previous two or three years. They made a living by hunting and fishing and by occasionally guiding tourists to the best fishing spots.[91]

Roxanne, an attractive, made-up blonde, was the receptionist at the Independence Party headquarters in Boston. When she made an appointment for Thomas Bushell to meet with Party boss John Kennedy later that morning, Bushell burst right past her, saying he had to see Kennedy now.[96]

Roy Saunders was the deputy minister of the exchequer for the North American Union. As such, he was the senior professional (as opposed to political) civil servant responsible for the NAU's species and banknotes. He was thin and sandy and acerbic.

Sergeant Singh was with the New Liverpool Police and a forensics specialist. He dusted the Cardigan Room (the place The Two Georges was hung when the Sons of Liberty stole it) and a mechanical phonograph the Sons left behind but failed to find any fingerprints. He gloomily concluded that the Sons must have been very careful to not leave behind any evidence.[100]

Marcus Aurelius "Chalky" Stimpson was the resident tailor for the Royal American Mounted Police in their headquarters in Victoria. He was a tall, thin, pale, slightly stooped man of indeterminate age somewhere between 65 and 85 although Thomas Bushell joked he had been around since at least William the Conqueror. The nickname of "Chalky" came from his ever present tailor's chalk.

Bushell and Captain Samuel Stanley fell into Stimpson's clutches during their investigation of the theft of The Two Georges. The information Bushell had brought led General Sir Horace Bragg to authorize a series of raids on suspected Sons of Liberty but he also decided that Bushell and Stanley would accompany him to a reception that night at the Russian Embassy. As such, the two needed formal dress uniforms fitted to perfection and so he took them to see "Chalky".

Stimpson grumbled that Bragg hadn't given him enough time but then fell to it. He took two tunics and pairs of trousers from the rack and had the two put them on. He then went at it with tape measure, pins and chalk working with his ancient foot-powered sewing machine. A braver man than Bushell would suggest he switch to a more modern electric model.

Finally, after spending the afternoon with the pair, Stimpson was satisfied. However, as Bushell relaxed and lit a cigar, Stimpson said he had one more thing for them. Stanley exclaimed in horror that he had already done enough but Stimpson, with a twinkle in his eye, asked innocently whether they wanted clubs to beat off all the lovely ladies their new uniforms would attract.[102]

James Stonebreaker was, ironically, a stone mason who worked in Doshoweh, The Six Nations. In 1995 his outspoken criticisms of the Iroquois drew the attention of the authorities investigating the theft of The Two Georges. While not personally a suspect, he was investigated for associates named "Joe" based on a letter discovered by Colonel Thomas Bushell.[103]

Several days later Colonel Bushell received a ransom demand from the Sons. He was flooded by telephone calls from reporters since the Sons had sent copies of the demand to newspapers across America. After fielding a number of calls himself, he asked the switchboard to direct all further inquiries to Thirkettle.[105]

Bill Tobin was a crime reporter for the BostonPilgrim. George Harris considered him a good choice to go to with the story of Joseph Kilbride's suspected gun-running, but thought he might ask to many questions which Harris couldn't conveniently answer.[106]

Eustace Venable (d. Summer 1995) was a cabinet maker from Georgestown. He was a fat, blond man, who looked like a penguin that swallowed a watermelon. While tagging along with the police hunt for Joseph Kilbride in Boston, Dr. Kathleen Flannery recognised Venable as a visitor to the The Two Georges exhibitions in Victoria and Philadelphia. When Venable recognised her as well, he ran. Colonel Thomas Bushell called out to Venable to stop and answer questions about Joseph Kilbride. Venable shouted that he would answer no questions, and pulled out a hand grenade. Bushell and Samuel Stanley reacted quickly with firearms. One of their bullets caught Venable in the head, and he was dead before he hit the ground. The grenade caused very little damage.[107]

When they had reached the outskirts of the town, Green sent Fuller, Wainwright and his squad circling around the town to the south. After reaching their position they entered the town using move-and-support tactics. Wainwright and half his squad would sprint forward and find cover while Fuller and the other half would be prepared to give supporting fire if needed. Then Fuller would sprint while Wainwright gave support.

Anson Whitby was the senior manager of Kilbride's Fine Food and Drink. He was bald and stout, and wore suits which attempted without success to disguise his bulk. Thomas Bushell inquired about the habits of Whitby's boss Joseph Kilbride. Bushell concluded that Whitby was not party to any of Kilbride's suspected crimes. He did catch Whitby making an untruthful statement about a racialist statement made by Kilbride, but as this did no harm, Bushell let it slide.[110]

Harrington Wilberforce was Governor John Burnett's secretary and office administrator when The Two Georges was stolen by the Sons of Liberty. He was present at the mansion when the infamous crime was committed and assisted in the investigation by providing Colonel Thomas Bushell and Captain Samuel Stanley with private offices to interview the witnesses.

He was a tall, dignified Negro man and indispensable to Governor Burnett's office running smoothly.

Lieutenant Commander Edward "Ted" Woodbridge was the captain of HMS Grampus. Early one morning in 1995, he transported Colonel Thomas Bushell, his two companions and two squads of Royal Marines from Port Clements to about five miles north of Buckley Bay. At noon of the same day Woodbridge and his ship returned directly to Buckley Bay to pick-up Bushell and any prisoners he might have.

Woodbridge was the first to learn of the gun battle that had taken place when the Sons of Liberty resisted arrest. He provided medical assistance to the wounded through Hartnett, a pharmacist’s mate on board his ship and transported the survivors and their one prisoner back to Port Clements. He also wirelessed ahead to have Doctor Lansing meet them at the wharf. Finally, he provided Bushell and Capt. Samuel Stanley with a private compartment for them to study the evidence they had collected.

Mr. Yawkey owned a tea shop in Boston's Back Bay. He was a friend of Joseph Kilbride, who, since the 1970s, purchased Orange Pekoe from Yawkey. Yawkey never suspected the truth about Kilbride's criminal activities until a scuffle with police left Kilbride, Cavendish, and Eustace Venable dead. Both Kilbride and Yawkey had been prizefighters in their youth.[111]

Solomon York was a printer who operated in Doshoweh, The Six Nations. In 1995 his outspoken criticisms of the Iroquois drew the attention of the authorities investigating the theft of The Two Georges. While not personally a suspect, he was investigated for associates named "Joe" based on a letter discovered by Colonel Thomas Bushell.